Although over 75 percent of those responding to a School Safety Survey, sent from Norfork Schools to parents and community members, support arming specially trained teachers and/or trained staff members, the school board and superintendent are not acting on that measure at this time.

Rather, they are currently looking to employ an additional resource officer as well as implementing other safety measures.

At Monday night’s meeting of the Norfork School Board, superintendent Mike Seay told the board he had been unsuccessful in talks with Norfork Mayor Lisa Harrison regarding the availability of their city police officer and obtaining an additional resource officer from Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery. Lack of financial resources were their reasons, according to Seay.

Consequently, the superintendent told the board he is in the process of looking to hire a safety/resource officer.

“We want to make our kids safe,” and “we will provide for it ourselves,” he said.

When hired, the additional officer will be assigned to the elementary school with the current officer, from the Baxter County Sheriff’s department, remaining at the high school.

The results of the survey, presented by Seay and Elementary School Principal Deanna Klaus, showed overwhelming support for the school district’s approach to school safety and communication with the parents of students. Klaus said the respondents, most which were parents and primarily elementary school parents, had a number of ideas and suggestions to enhance school safety, many which are being considered or are in the process of being implemented.

Superintendent Seay reported on the status of newly implemented school safety measures, including dead bolts which lock classroom doors from the inside, which have been installed. Additionally, each classroom and all teachers, staff members and administrators have been equipped with special communication radios for emergency use only.

Six volunteers from the community continue to patrol the school campus during and after hours, according to Seay. The volunteers wearing specially marked vests and driving marked vehicles, check doors and windows to the school, as well as report suspicious activity to the proper authorities.

Bids have been obtained to upgrade building doors with swipe card access equipment and audio/video surveillance cameras. Bids are also being sought for the purchase and installation of one-way mirrored window covering which allows viewing from the inside the window to the outside only.

Seay estimated the cost for these safety upgrades at less than $20,000 and said he has received an offer of financing from First National Bank of Izard County. The school board, with all members present, unanimously approved acquiring the $20,000 loan from the bank for the safety upgrades.

Other board action included the re-hiring of Brandy Hughes as a junior high science teacher.

Upcoming fundraising events at Norfork Schools include the Elementary School Basket Bingo at 6 p.m. Friday, April 20, in the school cafeteria and the annual Norfork Scholarship Pie Auction at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at 6 p.m. cafeteria. The public is invited to both events.